Wedding Party
Jillian Spangler
Maid of Honor
Besties since birth, literally. When Jill used to get mad at me, she would pull all my clothes out of my drawers (pretty smart in hindsight). My constant friend growing up, despite our little fights, and someone I'm so proud to call my sister. We truly understand each other. Sometimes, we just have to look at each other to know what the other is thinking, and I'm so glad we share a love for Animal Crossing and making up our own stories.
Carter Thurman
Best Man
Carter is the best little brother you could ask for. Whether it was racing all our matchbox cars head to head in a 64-car bracket or completing yet another play-through of Mario Superstar Baseball, he was always down to spend quality time together. Usually, little brothers look up to older brothers, but I look up to him (figuratively and literally). And even though he is taller than me now, I wouldn't want anyone else standing next to me at mine and Jessie's wedding.
Juna Schmitt
Bridesmaid
I (Jessie) met Juna our freshman year of college when we went through sorority recruitment together. At first, we didn't like each other (lol), but we became fast friends the more we talked. I wouldn't have survived college (or the years after) without her. Our trip to Paris and London is one of my favorite memories with her (but let's be real, there are too many to count). My ultimate hype woman. <3
Jake Epley
Groomsman
Where do we start with Jake Epley? One of our BFFs since high school, he never fails to make us laugh. We know we can always rely on him for a great time and his down-to-earth presence. We share a love for bears (he once got Maddi and me matching Bear Country t-shirts. I still have mine) and stupid memes.
Maddi Burns
Bridesmaid
We've been friends with Maddi since middle school. We spent countless weekend nights together as teenagers, playing Kidnapped and driving around aimlessly in Plainfield. From going to prom together to our wedding day, we can't imagine a life without MB. We've traveled far and wide together, and Maddi is truly one of the most kickass people we know.
Brenden McGath
Groomsman
Our stand-in little brother. We met Brenden in high school when we all ran cross-country. He never fails to make us laugh, and always encourages us to "mix it up with the locals." Some of our best memories together are our yearly trips to different national parks.
Ellen Converse
Bridesmaid
Ellen and I met our freshman year of college when we both joined Kappa Alpha Theta, and I'm forever grateful we did. We bonded at the start of our sophomore year, during our yearly week-long recruitment practice--we both had wanted to be friends with each other before but were both awkwardly unsure how to talk to the other, lol.
Alex Russell
Groomsman
We have so many wonderful (and very funny) stories with Russell from leaving potatoes on doorsteps in high school to wild nights in college. Truly one of the most stand-up guys we know.
Lindsey Gilberg
Bridesmaid
I've never seen anyone down a Smirnoff Ice like this woman. I also met Lindsey in Theta, and we truly bonded during our senior year of college when we lived in the house together. Her confidence is contagious and is one of the most honest, smartest people (let's be real, all of these people on here are!) I know.
John Conley
Groomsman
John is one of our oldest friends going all the way back to our high school days. From running cap at EIU to all of our group friends, we can always count on John to have a quick-witted joke ready to go when we need it. He's the kind of friend you can really shoot straight with, which is truly valuable to have.
Hailey Smith
Bridesmaid
One of the many reasons Hailey is special is her ability to make everyone around her feel comfortable and accepted. It's one of the reasons I gravitated toward her when we were in Theta together. We bonded while living in the house (especially over our very sad late plates), and our time together in Atlanta on spring break are some of my fave memories together.
Jake Drettwan
Groomsman
Jake Drettwan, who we also met at Drake, is a solid friend and confidant. Even when we went to an NBA playoff game in which his Milwaukee Bucks beat my Chicago Bulls by 30 at home, he didn't talk any trash (okay, maybe just a little). He's a top tier guy to get burgers and PBRs with, and that is one of the highest compliments I (Tanner) can pay.
Rachel Badali
Bridesmaid
I met Rachel when I was the new kid in school. I sat next to her in second period Language Arts, and the rest was history. We've made so many memories together, from prom to when I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. It's been so wonderful to grow up together. And that one Florida trip will forever live in our heads in infamy.
Alex Jensen
Groomsman
Even though we only met Alex Jensen at Drake, it feels like we've been friends forever. He's the kind of friend that you just riff on any topic with for hours, no matter how stupid. Bar none my favorite person to watch It's Always Sunny with.
Sarah Schroeder
Bridesmaid
Sarah is just one of those people you want to get to know. Mostly because of the funny things she says, her empathy, and her intelligence. We were also in Theta together, and we could always laugh about the slightly unhinged things we had to do during our time there. The person who will always grab coffee with me even if it doesn't seem like we have time, like the morning of our college graduation.
Noah Marsh
Groomsman
Noah is the kind of friend that inspires you to go out and accomplish whatever you set your mind to. He's also the kind of friend that can bring the right kind of chaos to a group, so of course we had to have him in the wedding party. Meeting and living with Noah at Drake was truly a one of a kind experience and we're so glad to have him be a part of this.